Steering Issue

[Rtrorkt]

Have a strange intermittent issue. Sometimes on turn in to right hand bends, there is a reluctance to turn requiring more steering wheel force. Seems to be somewhat speed related, say 20 to 30mph. As I turn the wheel initially it is harder to get the wheels to turn. Does not appear to a loading issue.

Steering box? Has just been aligned so I would hope the shop looked at tie rods etc. It does not bind, just requires additional force.

Any help is appreciated

[Solamar]

I havent had the pleasure of digging into the steering on my car yet, but I have heard of similar issues as your being a seized/seizing lower shaft bearings - #23 below

If you let it go too long it can lock up your steering column. Defiantly investigate asap.

[Rtrorkt]

Originally Posted by Solamar

I havent had the pleasure of digging into the steering on my car yet, but I have heard of similar issues as your being a seized/seizing lower shaft bearings - #23 below

If you let it go too long it can lock up your steering column. Defiantly investigate asap.

Thank you for that. Looking at the diagram it appears to outside the box at the bottom of the column. Definitely getting it addressed.

Was doing some fairly spirited driving on an AZ rally earlier this week. Had another guy with me also driving the car. He noticed it. Doesn't happen all of the time, but I get the issue of binding and locking things up at exactly the wrong time.

[Otter74]

That #23 bushing is in the smuggler's box. Easy to see and get to but I've heard it's a bit of a bother to get a new one in.

[Arlo911]

Did the problem start after your alignment? What are your alignment specs?
The #23 bearing is not that hard to change, but if it is bad I'd think you would have binding in both directions of steering.
There's also a bearing in the steering rack that sometimes acts up (might be #19), or the star clips/washers that fall out (easy to check by removing the rubber gaiters you can't miss them)
I've found 2 ball bearings inside my steering column from a previous owner that changed the bearing behind the steering wheel, this almost killed me as my steering locked in a turn, the ball bearing jammed inside the notch for the steering lock.
It can be a lot of things, but have it checked out before you go driving again, it can be nothing, but it can also be a very dangerous problem.

[Rtrorkt]

Thanks all. It did not start with the alignment. Has been happening intermittently for a time. Going to see my aircooled whisperer tomorrow.

Is there a way to check the bearing visually or is it take it out and check it?

[Ryce Stallings]

Open the smuggler box and push on the shaft, if it’s bad you should see the side play.

[Rtrorkt]

follow up question. Suggestion has been the universal joints top and bottom of the column. Thoughts?

[john walker's workshop]

All those items can cause your issue. Spray some penetrant on everything to see if it helps. The lower needle bearing can seize on the shaft and turn inside the rubber piece.

[ILXLR8]

I had an odd issue with my 77 911S years ago. When I would make hard right turns the steering would lock intermittantly as I softened the turn. A immediate sharper right again would loosen it up. It ended up being a part of column bearing left behind from a previous repair. The individual ball bearing would basically ride up the bearing race and get wedged. Took many years and many near crashes to find.

[Ryce Stallings]

The smuggler box bearing starts to disintegrate (Rust) over time. The roller bearings come out of the race. The rest of the linkage usually lasts longer. When mine went my mechanic said “ it’s always the lower bearing”. I would start there.

[Rtrorkt]

thank you for the comments. I will delve into this to see what I find. Great info, thank you